To and Fro: moving your bike around British Columbia
My bike and I are in
and we’d like to be in
.
We show what transit connections accept bikes. Check with the operator for prices, schedules, and reservations.
Same place twice. You’re already there, so enjoy the ride.
Transit connects Port Renfrew and Bella Bella, but every chain we know includes a leg that will not take your bike. We show the chains anyway so you can see exactly where it breaks.
For scale
As the crow flies481 km
Biking whole way727 km · 40 h 35 m
By car705 km · 13 h 15 m
🎒 Riding a coach? Most BC coach operators want your bike bagged or boxed. Our field note walks through packing it, including an inexpensive packable bike bag we like: How to bike-and-bus in BC ›
Not an option · three legs🚫 not possible with a bike📅 seasonal
Coach bus to Nanaimo, rental car to Port Hardy, then a ferry into McLoughlin Bay.
🚫 This chain exists, but West Coast Trail Express does not carry bikes, so it cannot work with yours. We show it so you can see where the connection breaks.
🚲Travel the short hop from Downtown Nanaimo Exchange to Downtown Nanaimo, about 0.6 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, A.C. Taxi, Yellow Cab Nanaimo might help.
🚙BudgetOne-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimoor National Car & Truck Rental (One-way rental: Port Hardy – Nanaimo)(counter a short ride away on the 20/20A Hammond Bay / Dover)Downtown Nanaimo →YZT (Port Hardy)298 kmOne-way between BC Budget branches — bookable onlineBike rides inside — SUV or minivan, seats folded, wheels offConfirm one-way and vehicle when booking
🚲Travel the short hop from YZT (Port Hardy) to Bear Cove (Port Hardy), about 8 km. If pedalling it doesn't appeal, Waivin Flags Taxi might help.
⛴️BC FerriesPort Hardy – Bella CoolaBear Cove (Port Hardy) →McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella)164 kmRoll on, free — no reservation neededE-bikes OK — no charging on board
Doesn't sail every day, and not every sailing calls at every stop — check the BC Ferries schedule for your date.
🚲You arrive at McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella).
Two workarounds riders use: rent a bike at the far end instead of bringing yours, or ship your bike ahead to a shop or your accommodation.
Route facts last checked August 2026. We check that every leg here carries bikes, but policies and seasons change. Check times and book with the operator. Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.
Connections from Port Renfrew:Lake Cowichan(best: bus) · White Rock(best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Osoyoos(best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain) · Calgary, AB(best: bus + ferry + SkyTrain)
Connections from Bella Bella:Ocean Falls(best: ferry) · Ucluelet(best: ferry + rental car + carpool) · Port Coquitlam(best: ferry + rental car + train) · Calgary, AB(best: ferry + rental car + bus)
